July 16, 2009

Biblical Studies - 5

I still haven't found what I'm looking for. I start to feel like the Jack Nicholson's obnoxious psychiatrist character in Anger Management asking "Who are you? ...no, that's your name. I want to know who you are. ...no, that's what you do for a living. The question I'm asking is, 'Who are you?' ...no, that's where your're from..." Etc.

What I want to see is a History of Events during the Life of Christ, including events according to Scripture. Is that so unclear? Or how am I failing to find such a thing? Or else, why isn't it out there, really?

Michael Whitenton let me twist his arm into having lunch in Dallas tuesday, and we had a great time. Lots of good talk and laughs, plus Mongolian Stir Fry. I'm grateful he introduced me to Genghis Grill and shared a fascinating view on the term "Son of Man", among other things. While putting up with my ignorance which I'm sure was on full display, Michael also suggested that I might want to check out Darrel Bock's Jesus according to Scripture, awhich I ahave. (Inego Montoya - no?)

The book arrived today. Just from my first once overing, it looks like a great book. "But not my favorite." (Johnny Depp now - Chocolat). Overall, it seems organized like a harmonized commentary on the Gospels. The aspect that may be unique about that is Bock seems to approach each "scene" as an actual event, which is very nice. On the other hand, his repeated use of the word scene is already conspicuous on perusal, so I had to check. Amazon's Look Inside feature says he uses it 132 times.

Bock also moves quickly in more than one chapter to distance himself from issues of chronology, which makes sense for his overall goal, "Restoring the Portrait". I'll probably get a lot out of this book over time by using it as a sourcebook along the way, and I'm actually looking forward to his insights. It's just not the book I was hoping it might be.

I sure don't blame Michael. Maybe I wasn't clear, or maybe that's the closest thing going. But I'll ask again. Michael (or anyone else), where can I find a scholarly historical reconstruction of the biography of Jesus Christ? Or am I somehow failing to ask the right question, here?

"Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" (Jackie Chan - Rush Hour)

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